Players feel Bruce's absence ..

It's not as if Isaac Bruce was a regular participant during the Rams' offseason
conditioning program. He always preferred to do most of his offseason work on
his own, usually away from St. Louis.

Nonetheless, the start of the Rams' offseason program this week marked the
first team function since 1993 minus the Pro Bowl wide receiver. Cut by the
team at the end of February, and quickly picked up by San Francisco, Bruce no
longer has a locker stall at Rams Park. His absence this week did not go
unnoticed by Rams veterans.

"Isaac's a soldier. Isaac's a future Hall of Famer," offensive guard Richie
Incognito said. "I'm going to miss him dearly. I know speaking with some guys,
we're all going to miss him."

Several players expressed surprise at Bruce's release. But even at age 35, if
it can happen to Bruce, it can happen to anyone.

"That's the business side of it," cornerback Ron Bartell said. "We all know
we're going to be released or cut one day — no matter who you are. When you
have one of the greats get released, it's a reality check."

As defensive end Leonard Little sees it, the fact that Bruce is playing for the
rival ***** is even more surprising than his release from the Rams after 14
seasons.

"I can't really imagine him in a San Francisco uniform," Little said. "Even
when we play them, I still won't believe it's him because he's been around here
a long time. It's going to be really, really funny seeing him in that type of
uniform."

Bruce's departure leaves the Rams with only three players from the Super Bowl
championship team of 1999: Little, wide receiver Torry Holt and offensive
tackle Orlando Pace. It's four players if you count quarterback Trent Green,
re-signed by the Rams this month after spending the past seven years elsewhere
(Kansas City and Miami).

Speaking of the dwindling number of '99 Rams, Little said, "It's a compliment
to our play, the way we've stayed around the league so long. But this league is
getting younger. We know that, so we've got to take advantage of all the
opportunities we have in front of us."

Green was with the Rams for only two seasons — 1999 and 2000. His preseason
knee injury in '99 sidelined him for the rest of that Super Bowl campaign,
opening the door for the emergence of Kurt Warner.

Even minus Bruce, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the Super Bowl
victory over Tennessee, Green hopes the remaining '99 Rams can show the younger
Rams what it takes to win at the highest level.

"Hopefully, we can inspire everybody here," Green said, "and try and get
everybody focused on what the real goal is. And what the real work ethic needs
to be."

Interestingly, even after Bruce left St. Louis, he's doing something to help
the club. A week or so after his Rams release, Bruce received a call from Green.

"I asked him, 'What do you think about the locker room?'" Green recalled. —
"'What do you think about the guys that are there? What do you think about the
coaching staff? The defense? The guys on the offensive end?'"

Bruce always has been known as a straight shooter. Green thought this might be
especially true since Bruce had just been cut.

"He was very honest and up front," Green said. "He had a lot of really positive
things to say about the organization, and about the coaching staff, and the
players. … He had a lot of influence in me wanting to come back."

Unfortunately for Green, he won't be throwing any passes to Bruce in St. Louis.

"I know Isaac wishes he could've worked something out here," Green said. "But
(linebacker) Zach Thomas was released from the Dolphins, so it's a similar type
thing. You understand with the way the (salary) cap is, and you understand the
direction that organizations are going. I know Zach wishes he could've finished
his career there."

Thomas ended up signing with Dallas. As for Bruce, he doesn't figure to be as
helpful to his former teammates when his ***** play the Rams twice this coming
season.

"Yeah, we will be getting up close and personal," Bartell said. "We'll have a
battle."

Re: Players feel Bruce's absence ..

I'm just saying...no one is giving Bennett a chance and they think we need to replace him to have success.

People are judging him off last year with a terrible offense, being a slot receiver, and injuries.

I wouldn't say nobody is giving Bennett a chance. Some of us are giving him a chance including myself. I said it in another thread, there is no way you can judge Bennett from last year because like you said he was injured and our offense was a write off.

The bottom line is we all have to give him a chance because he is the #2 guy. Let's hope he can live up to his end of the bargain.

Re: Players feel Bruce's absence ..

I have a little problem with one thing Green said:

"I know Isaac wishes he could've worked something out here," Green said. "But (linebacker) Zach Thomas was released from the Dolphins, so it's a similar type thing. You understand with the way the (salary) cap is, and you understand the direction that organizations are going. I know Zach wishes he could've finished his career there."

Comparing Zach Thomas to Isaac Bruce is silly. Isaac is a sure HOF'er and Zach Thomas will only get into the HOF if he buys a ticket

Re: Players feel Bruce's absence ..

Originally Posted by ScottD413

I have a little problem with one thing Green said:

"I know Isaac wishes he could've worked something out here," Green said. "But (linebacker) Zach Thomas was released from the Dolphins, so it's a similar type thing. You understand with the way the (salary) cap is, and you understand the direction that organizations are going. I know Zach wishes he could've finished his career there."

Comparing Zach Thomas to Isaac Bruce is silly. Isaac is a sure HOF'er and Zach Thomas will only get into the HOF if he buys a ticket

I don't think he was making HOF comparisons. The Dolphs losing Thomas is as big to Miami fans and it was for us to lose Bruce. I think Zach Thomas played in Miami for 12 seasons.

Re: Players feel Bruce's absence ..

I think the only good thing about releasing Bruce could be that it lights a fire under the teams butt. It'll make them realize "Wow, if Bruce can be cut, than I can."
But it would have to light several fires for it to be worth it...

Re: Players feel Bruce's absence ..

Originally Posted by moklerman

I think Bennett will be filling the Morton/Parker/Randel El role and if history repeats itself, will be good for 40-50 receptions and 700 yards.

I'd say you're about right, mok. And that's about what we got from Bruce over the recent past, so that will at least maintain the #2 spot. Now if we can either find or develop a vertical threat & some consistency on the line, the offense can get back on track.

"Before the gates of excellence the high gods have placed sweat; long is the road thereto and rough and steep at first; but when the heights are reached, then there is ease, though grievously hard in the winning." --- Hesiod